An idea itself cannot be protected, only its implementation can. The shape of a product can be protected by copyrights or design rights. If these rights are not available, in the Netherlands one can rely on the regime of unfair competition to protect the shapes of its products. Especially in the case of counterfeiting this ground has been invoked on a regular base. However, what if a third party, by coincidence, develops the same idea independently?
Per April 1, Mirjam de Werd and Frank Schouten joined the Abcor team in Leiden. Mirjam de Werd started her career at a trademark agency and made a transfer to Danone, where she handled the IP portfolio Asia-Pacific as an in-house attorney.Afterwards, she worked as an in-house legal counsel at TV Entertainment Reality Network (new TV-Channel). For the past 15 years, Frank has worked at several trademark agencies, like VO Patents & Trademarks/ Houthoff Buruma Amsterdam/ Merkenbureau Keesom & Hendriks.
In the new Jumbo commercials Max Verstappen is racing from client to client in his Formula 1 car delivering online orders. In less than a day after the launch of this campaign, the online supermarket, Picnic presents a parody. A Max look-alike is driving around at an easy pace making his deliveries. After a short pit stop (where the groceries are being delivered), Max continues his trip trough the Dutch city Amersfoort.
In the year 2001, tapas restaurant ‘the Encounter’ opens its doors in the city of Nijmegen. They register their logo for catering services, in order to protect the goodwill of the restaurant.
In the year 2014, a restaurant named ‘the Encounter Zutphen’ is opened in the city of Zutphen (approximately 50 km from Nijmegen). The party from Nijmegen claims that this is infringement of their trademark rights.
It is a common thought among entrepreneurs that IP rights have no value in China. Nowadays, this (mis-) conception is completely outdated. In 2015 Chinese companies filed more than a million patent applications (a third of the total amount of 3 million patent applications worldwide). Whereas American and Japanese companies filed half a million applications each. China is also the number one country regarding trademark registrations. In 2015 a vast number of 2.8 million trademark applications were filed in China. As a result, an increasing number of Chinese companies can be found in the court of law as the demanding party in trademark infringement cases.
In 2012, Trine Anderson designs the Wire Basket. She created this design as an employee of the firm Ferm Living. In the Netherlands the copyrights belong to the company if the products have been made by employees (as part of their job). Many (daily used) products can be protected by copyrights. However, if no possible creative choices have been made (as the shape is too basic), the design cannot be protected. The Burly Basket Round, introduced by the company Lifestyle, has a great resemblance to the Wire Basket. This raises the question if the Burly Basket Round is an infringement of the copyrights of Ferm Living. Lifestyle states that, due to the trivial and functional shape of the Wire Basket Round, no Intellectual property claims can be made.
Call us: 071-5763116 or send an e-mail: info@abcor-ip.com
Een korte introductie tekst over de nieuwsbrief waarin je uitlegt wat het is. Hoe je direct de nieuwste editie kunt lezen en hoe je je kunt abonneren. And click here for all the numbers.
Among others in this issue:
• EUIPO vs Mora TV: weigering geluidsmerk
• Jägermeister vs Alte Heiler: stop Russische copycat
• Stichting Nederlandse Top 40: gericht op Benelux?
• Tijdschrift HART vs Hermitage: soortgelijkheid
• Monique Granneman: nieuwe partner Abcor
